Flags by symbol · 15 flags
Flags With a Sun
15 flags in our collection show a sun. Japan's red disc is the best known, but Argentina, Uruguay, the Philippines and Kazakhstan all use a sun with rays.
Argentina 
Japan 
Nepal 
Philippines 
Uruguay 
Taiwan 
Kazakhstan 
Rwanda 
Kyrgyzstan 
North Macedonia 
Malawi 
Kiribati 
Antigua & Barbuda 
Namibia 
French Polynesia What does the sun mean on a flag?
The sun often stands for a new beginning, independence or life itself. Japan's flag is a red disc on white, and its name in Japanese means "origin of the sun". The Philippines has a golden sun with eight rays, one for each of the first provinces that rebelled against Spain, beside three stars in a white triangle.
The Sun of May appears on the flags of Argentina and Uruguay. It refers to the May Revolution of 1810 in Buenos Aires, and the sun has a human face. Argentina's sun has 32 rays and Uruguay's has 16.
Notable flags with a sun
- Kazakhstan: a golden sun with 32 rays above a soaring steppe eagle, on sky blue.
- Kyrgyzstan: a yellow sun with 40 rays on red, which refers to the 40 tribes of legend.
- Namibia: a gold sun with 12 rays in the corner above a diagonal red band.
- Rwanda: a golden sun with 24 rays in the top right.
- Malawi: a red rising sun at the top of a black, red and green flag.
- Kiribati: a rising sun with a yellow frigatebird above blue and white waves.
- North Macedonia: a yellow sun with eight rays spreading across a red field.
- Antigua and Barbuda: a rising sun in a black triangle to show a new era.
- Taiwan: a white sun with 12 rays in a blue canton.
- Nepal shows a sun and a moon on its two pennants.
History of the sun on flags
Sun symbols appear on military banners long before nations used flags. Japan's sun-disc flag has been used for centuries, and a version with rays, the Rising Sun Flag, was used by the Imperial Japanese Army and Navy. It is still flown by Japan's maritime forces and remains controversial in China and South Korea.
In the 19th century, independence movements in South America adopted the Sun of May, while newer states like Malawi and Namibia used the sun for hope after independence.
Frequently asked questions
Which country has a flag with a sun?
Examples include Japan, Argentina, Uruguay, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Namibia, Rwanda and the Philippines.
What does the Rising Sun Flag represent?
It shows a red sun disc with rays. It was used by Japan's armed forces and is still used by its maritime forces.
Which flag has a sun with a face?
The Sun of May on the flags of Argentina and Uruguay has a human face.
Is the Lion and Sun flag on this page?
No. It was Iran's flag until 1979, and the current flag of Iran does not show a sun.
Which flag has the sun with the most rays?
Among the flags on this page, Kyrgyzstan. Its yellow sun has 40 rays on a red field, standing for the 40 tribes said to have been united by the hero Manas. Kazakhstan's sun has 32 rays. See Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan.
What do the rays on the Philippines flag mean?
The golden sun has eight primary rays, said to represent the eight provinces that rebelled against Spanish rule in 1896. The three stars around the triangle stand for the main island groups. See Philippines.
Which flag has a yellow sun on a red background?
North Macedonia has a yellow sun with eight broadening rays on red, based on the "new sun of Liberty" in its anthem. Kyrgyzstan also has a yellow sun on red, but with 40 thin rays. See North Macedonia.